Sliding Armrest Assembly With Self-Positioning Return Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional armrests in vehicles lack a self-positioning mechanism, leading to user inconvenience in adjusting the armrest to optimal positions, and often obstruct access to storage compartments when in the closed position.
Innovation Solution
An armrest assembly with a self-positioning mechanism that includes a base member, armrest member, and a biasing mechanism, allowing linear movement between positions, featuring a damper mechanism and spring members to bias the armrest towards a home position, and an engagement lever system that locks and unlocks positions, enabling easy adjustment and automatic return.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the armrest is made stationary to provide stability, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates as users cannot adjust it to optimal positions
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to move between a stored position and an extended position. The armrest member is linearly movable relative to the base member, transitioning from a retracted state where it is substantially contained within the console to an extended state where it protrudes outward, enabling users to adjust it to optimal positions while maintaining structural stability when needed
2Ease of operation
If the armrest is made movable to improve ease of operation, then adjustability is improved, but device complexity worsens due to the need for positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest assembly incorporates a self-positioning mechanism that automatically positions the armrest member at predetermined locations. The mechanism includes positioning members with engagement features that automatically engage with the armrest member during movement, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms while providing stable, predetermined positioning at first, second, and third positions
3Ease of operation
If the armrest is positioned to provide comfort, then user comfort is improved, but access to storage compartments deteriorates when the armrest is in the closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest member is designed to be linearly movable relative to the base member, allowing it to transition between a stored position where it is substantially contained within the console (providing access to storage compartments) and an extended position where it protrudes outward (providing user comfort). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the armrest to provide comfort when extended and access when retracted
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The armrest assembly allows for user-friendly adjustment and automatic return to a preferred position, enhancing user comfort and convenience while allowing or restricting access to storage compartments based on the armrest's position.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member may bias the armrest member in a linear direction from the second position toward the first position
Implementation Method 2
the armrest assembly may include a damper mechanism resisting the linear motion of the armrest member from the second position to the first position
Data Source
AI summary
An armrest assembly may include a base member, an armrest member, a mechanism and a biasing member. The armrest member may be linearly movable relative to the base member between a first position and a second position. The mechanism may be associated with the armrest member and may be movable between an engaged configuration restricting linear movement of the armrest member relative to the base member and a disengaged configuration allowing linear movement of the armrest member relative to the base member. The biasing member may bias the armrest member in a linear direction from the second position toward the first position.